Taiwan to send delegation to COP22 despite opposition from China

Taipei, Oct 3 (IANS) Taiwan will send its delegation to the UN Climate Change COP22 summit, slated to begin in November, and will engage with international organisations despite continued opposition from China, an official said on Monday.

The COP22 will be held at Marrakesh city in Morocco, from November 7 to 18.

After being excluded from the triennial meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), in Montreal, Canada, Taiwan will send a delegation from the Industrial Technology Research Institute, as a non-profit organisation, Taiwanese Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

The unofficial representative from Taiwan has been excluded from participating in summit-related activities, due to Chinese pressure, officials alleged on condition of anonymity, Efe news reported.

Taiwan seeks to participate as an observer in the meeting, but due to Chinese opposition and deterioration of its ties with Beijing, since pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party chief Tsai Ing-wen became President of Taiwan there has been no progress in Taiwan’s inclusion in the summit, despite support from the US and other countries.

The island has been excluded from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) meeting which started on September 27 due to opposition from China, which demands that Taiwan accept the 1992 consensus and recognise itself as part of China.

Taiwan was invited to the previous ICAO triennial meeting in 2013 when its ties with Beijing were better with then-President Ma Ying-jeou accepting the 1992 consensus of ‘One-China, Two interpretations’ principle.

Tsai, during an academic event held on Saturday, said the island will not waver in its goal of expanding its international presence, despite the difficulties presented by China.